Technology and advances in basically anything in society is typically good but at the same time, attention spans have lessened and pettiness has risen. We live in a society that rewards ignorance more than moralistic achievements. Charity and good will is ignored while ‘ratchetness’ is highly compensated. You know what I’m talking about so no example is needed.

It’s also a shame that people complain about the smallest and dumbest things, all for a chance to be heard or to air pettiness at opponents or those who don’t agree with their agenda. It was reported nationally that President Obama performed a ‘latte salute’ to some Marines as he stepped off Air Force recently. The president of the United States salutes albeit with a coffee cup in his hand and people are outraged?!?! Seriously?

When did society become so sensitive and petty? Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean you have to obsess about what is perceived as wrong or non traditional. If he didn’t salute at all, then, although still not newsworthy, it would be a little more understandable. Read more…

— African American Interns Wanted For 2014 Summer White House Internship Program; Deadline to Apply is March 15 —

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — The White House Initiative’s Year-round Internship Program provides current undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to learn about African American-focused education policy, communications, and outreach at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

Until March 15, 2014, the program will be accepting applications for summer interns. Their responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Collecting and compiling research and data on African American education, institutions and communities; Performing data entry and managing the office database; Greeting and escorting visitors to meetings; Participating in strategic planning and staff meetings and other Department policy briefings and meetings relevant to the work of the Initiative; Responding to constituent inquiries verbally or in writing; and more. Read more…

VIBE Magazine Turns Over its Twitter Account to Political Provocateur Mike Muse For “State of the Union Takeover” Tonight at 9pm EST

(New York, NY -January 28, 2014)- When President Barack Obama delivers his fifth State of the Union address tonight, his words will have been months in the making. Muse Recordings, CEO and noted political engagement expert, Mike Muse (@iammikemuse), will man Vibe Magazine’s Twitter account (@Vibemagazine) for their“State of the Union Takeover” tonight at 9pmEST to decode the President’s speech while giving his unique perspective on the political issues of our time and answer viewer questions.

While much of the State of the Union speech is pre-determined, from the first lady’s guest list to the color of the president’s tie, there are sure to be surprises and unscripted moments. What will Obama say about the state of Obamacare and how hard will he go at the republicans? Mike will bring his uncanny wit and unique ability to use nuts and bolts breakdowns for perspective on what the President hopes to convey.

Madonna, the mother of two black Malawian children, referred to her white son, Rocco, as the N-word, and then got buck when fans pulled her card for slinging around the offensive racial slur on Instagram. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman showed passion and over-the-top emotion moments after leading his team to the Super Bowl and Twitter exploded into a racist tirade of Klan rally proportions, with people animals calling Sherman all kinds of foul, racist names. Sarah Palin terrorized Facebook with a post dedicated to President Obama, quoting the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., to make some insane, confused, dumb ass request for the most powerful man in the free world to “stop playing the race card.” And the editor-in-chief of a Russian magazine posed for a feature photo using a half-naked black woman, literally, as her chair. Her effing chair.

Is it me or have white folk (not all, but enough to notice) gone completely mad? I just… like… for real, people? I was out yesterday with my children, honoring the Prince of Peace on the holiday celebrating the efforts of a man who fought federally-sanctioned terror against Black people in the American south, and I come back to my Facebook feed only to find all this madness? Read more…

Fresh off the “Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour” alongside Justin Timberlake and Jay Z, internationally revered DJ Cassidy has been tapped as the MTV Video Music Awards house DJ this Sunday, August 25.

DJ Cassidy will soon release his debut album via Columbia Records. With a mission of returning the greatest dance music of all time to the dance floor, Cassidy has united the most legendary musicians from the late 1970s and early 1980s with some of today’s recording superstars to write and record original songs for the collection. Further album details will be announced in the coming weeks. Read more…

(Columbia Records; New York, NY – July 18, 2013) – Internationally revered DJ Cassidy has announced plans to release his debut album via Columbia Records. With a mission of returning the greatest dance music of all time to the dance floor, Cassidy has united the most legendary musicians from the late 1970s and early 1980s with some of today’s recording superstars to write and record original songs for the collection. Further album details will be announced in the coming weeks.

DJ Cassidy has joined Justin Timberlake and Jay Z on their “Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour”—which kicked off last night at Toronto’s Rogers Centre—where he is debuting songs from his new album. The tour, which hits New York City’s Yankee Stadium on July 19-20 and Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl on July 28, will continue through mid-August (see below for tour dates). Read more…

This week reminds me of why Martin Luther King, Jr. was in my home town when he met his untimely murder. It was because of the garbage strike, I suspect many folk don’t know about it to even care, or even understand its corollary with today’s US economic crisis.

Ask any Black person, and they will say the economy is growing. They will also say that it is all because of the policies of President Barack Obama. Ask the same folk how the dollar is doing in the world and the present US economic picture for employment prospects, and they will say he is doing his best and that it will take time, or that he is not just the President for Black Americans. But you never hear such pronouncements with respect to Jewish people, Gay or Lesbians or even Hollywood. They get mentioned and African Americans are conveniently left out of the conversation.Read more…

Tony Rose, Publisher/CEO, Amber Communications Group, Inc., stated in his acceptance speech, “On behalf of Amber Books, Gregory J. Reed, Esq., and the Keeper of the Word Foundation, we are extremely excited to have been honored with an NAACP Image Award for Literature.”, Rose added, “I want to thank God, with whom all things are possible and Gregory J. Reed, Esq., who brought “Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons – A Dialogue With America’s Young Leaders”, an outstanding and historic collection of student letters to President Barack Obama, and his responses to those students from all across America, along with the President’s speeches, public statements, and quotations during his campaigns and tenure as President of the United States of America, to Amber Books.

Rose stated, “We thank the NAACP Image Awards, The 44th Annual Image Awards Sub-Committee Members, The NAACP Voting Members, our NAACP Image Awards Literary Coordinator, Annette Thomas, for her diligence and hard work on behalf of our African American Literary Community, and I thank my wife, Yvonne Rose, The Associate Publisher of Amber Communications Group, Inc., for her and her editorial and design team’s tireless work, and technical and creative skills, in making a great book even greater”. Read more…

COMCAST’S XFINITY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTION AND ONLINE DESTINATION

Introduces First-Of-Its Kind Internet Destination for African American Entertainment, Content, Features and News at Xfinity.Com/Celebrateblacktv

PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 1, 2013 –

Comcast, a global media and technology company, today announced Xfinity.com/celebrateblacktv, a new premier Internet destination site that brings together a wealth of black entertainment content available from a variety of sources in one, easy to navigate location. In addition, starting February 1st, Xfinity customers will gain access to special programming celebrating Black History Month available across Xfinity platforms — TV, On Demand, online and on mobile devices — recognizing the many contributions of the African-American culture and community to the US and the world.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Black History Month this year by sharing with our customers the rich culture and contributions of the African American community,” said Ruben Mendiola, vice president and general manager of Multicultural Video Services. “We invite all Xfinity customers to join in the celebration On Demand throughout the month of February and visit our new online destination at xfinity.com/celebrateblacktv.” Read more…

Her name was Hadiya Pendleton, and she was only 15 years old. The dimples in her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes—each of these tell the story. She was an honor student, a volley ball player and a majorette, nice enough with her studies and her drill team routines that she got the chance to perform with her school’s marching band during President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade in Washington, just days ago. Her pictures belie all that her friends remember of her: Hadiya was smart. Kind. Sweet. Full of light. With a potential that was limitless.

But now, Hadiya is gone from here. On Tuesday afternoon, she became the 42nd person to be killed in Chicago this month, the deadliest January in that city in more than a decade. This was not a case of Hadiya being in the wrong place at the wrong time; this child, having been released early from King College Prep High School after taking final exams, was with her friends in a park near her school, taking shelter from the rain under a canopy of trees when some coward with a gun hopped a fence and shot into the crowd of teens. Hadiya was shot in the back; she collapsed a few blocks away in front of a row of upscale condos, not too far from President Obama’s family home, and died an hour later. Another boy, too, was shot and is in serious condition at an area hospital. Read more…

By NICK CHILES

As families across America know all too well, the last decade has been brutal on our pocketbooks.

But while much of the analysis has focused on the effects of the Great Recession, a new study by the Foundation for Child Development reveals that the rapid decline in the well-being of American families and children began all the way back in 2001, at least six years before the Great Recession officially began.

The findings by this venerable nonprofit are significant because they show that the pain families and children have been experiencing recently is caused by structural problems in the American economy that go much deeper than some wild, irresponsible speculating with mortgage securities by some rogue traders in London. No, these are problems much more fundamental and long-lasting, and if they aren’t addressed the American future is going to be bleaker than many of us realize. Read more…

It’s not far fetched, especially these days, to see cultures intertwined within each other. Things that would have been impossible years ago could be the norm now. Is there such a thing as strange bedfellows anymore?

Music has crept into politics and in some cases, it is the background of the campaign. Some people enter one arena and shine in another. This is where Mike Muse, CEO of Muse Recordings, enters. No, he didn’t provide the soundtrack or even a song in the re-election campaign of our nation’s first bi-racial president. All he did was “Kick in the Door” like The Notorious B.I.G. and is now a member of President Obama’s National Finance Committee.

Not bad for a boy growing up in the Midwest who now resides in, arguably, the biggest and most electrifying city, New York.

Who is Mike Muse? What is your background and tell me about Muse Recordings and your accomplishments with the label. Read more…

There was never anything wrong when whites voted for whites in 100 percent of the presidential elections until 2008. Now, there are complaints of blacks voting for blacks because they are black? Now, it’s about race, although it was never about race when it was white candidates?

This topic of conversation has taken on new light since former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated he would be voting for President Obama once again. For those who don’t know, Powell was the most recognizable black Republican when he was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. Read more…

Last night marked the last of the debates between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and with just two weeks to go before I head over to a local Atlanta church, my daughters in tow, to cast my vote in the 2012 presidential election, I could not be any more clear about who will get my support: Barack Obama is my guy.

Before you go dismissing my decision as nothing more than the black lady voting for the black dude, let me be very clear: I’m not looking at melanin; I’m looking at policy. Does his skin color matter to me? Of course it does. I’m proud of this intelligent, thoughtful, strong black man, husband and father of daughters, whose family and life (before the White House) mirrors my own. Still, my connection with Barack Obama lies not in the color of his skin, but the content of his character—the part of him that appeals to me as a woman, a mother, a provider, a small business owner and an American with a brain and a conscience. Read more…

ROLAND MARTIN DECLARES PRESIDENT OBAMA WINNER OF SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Political analyst and Washington Watch hostRoland Martin cites President Obama the clear winner in Tuesday night’s second presidential debate.

“The President walked in with a totally different attitude than he had the previous week,” said Martin. “Mitt Romney tried to stand up and get in his face. The president basically laughed it off. He was very effective at turning away from Romney and turning back to the voters to answer their questions.”

While providing debate analysis with Jeff Johnson on BLIS.FM, Martin shared the following updates via Twitter and Facebook: Read more…

The Apollo Theater will present the second event in its newly launched Apollo Uptown Hall series with a FREE viewing party of the second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney on Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30pm. Prior to screening the presidential debate, there will be a panel discussion with several respected political analysts, who will discuss issues important to the community, followed by a Q&A with the audience. The panel includes Esther Armah (WBAI-FM), Herb Boyd (The New York Amsterdam News), Michael Brendan Dougherty (The American Conservative), Mark Riley (WWRL 1600 AM), William Tucker [The American Spectator], and Armstrong Williams (SiriusXM’s The Power). The panel will be moderated by Christina Greer (Fordham University, Political Science Assistant Professor). Those interested can register in advance at apollotheater.org.

Following the panel discussion, Shannon LaNier (Black Enterprise Business Report) will lead the Q&A session, inviting the audience to participate in the dialogue. Preceding the event, there will be live entertainment from soul jazz violinist/vocalist, Charisa the Violin Diva, as well as music provided by RhythmAndSoulRadio.com’s DJ, The Legendary Chris Washington.Read more…

West Coast Based Hip-Hop Collective ‘The Rej3ctz’ Release New Single ‘Solid’ featuring President Obama & Michelle Obama to Raise Youth Awareness of the 2012 Election

LOS ANGELES , CALIF. , September 24, 2012— Emerging hip-hop superstars Mowii, Pee W33 and Bounc3 of the REJ3CTZ take a political stance to raise awareness of current issues affecting America and its international relations with the release of their socially conscious and patriotic song/visual presentation “SOLID” featuring highlights from the recent campaign speeches of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention. In time for National Voter Registration Day 9/25/12, the REJ3CTZ hope “SOLID” increases focus on the 2012 elections, especially among younger voters. The song will be featured on their highly anticipated mixtape “THE CR33ZTAPE: Rated R” hosted by the LA Leakers JustinCredible and DJ Sourmilk releasing late September 2012. Read more…

As I write, this, I already anticipate a backlash from the mass of Obama felatio administrators within the African American community, but I know all too well as Huxley wrote, “facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored and that one cannot argue with an idiot for they will beat you down with experience and win every time.

The situation which the US find’s itself in Syria was all our doing and 99.9 percent of the blame can be placed at the feet of the current Administration, President Barack Obama in particular. For it is President Obama’s incoherent and fatuous policy in Libya based on the use of force when he wants to when US national security is not even in jeopardy that got Ambassador Steven’s killed.Read more…

This past Friday, the August jobs report was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the report, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 96,000 in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent. Specific employment increases were in food services and drinking places, in professional and technical services, and in health care.

Almost automatically, proponents of the Obama Administration as well as political pundits touted this as good news and as being proof of the effectiveness of the President’s economic policy. Unfortunately, few if any political talking heads discussed this in reference to the general citizenry of America or offer that the aforementioned may not be the case.

If one actually takes the time to read the report and do some basic math, they would clearly see that for the average American, the data does not provide such a rosy picture. First, is the obvious observation of that 119,000 fewer persons were employed in August compared to the month of July and that Manufacturing employment edged down in August (-15,000).Read more…

Editor’s note: First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Congress last night was absolutely electrifying—a pitch perfect case for why Americans should re-elect President Barack Obama to a second term. She repped her man, her babies and this country lovely—made me think, well hell, why isn’t she running for president? I’m going to put it on out there: Michelle Obama for President 2016! First things first, though: Four more years for Barack. Here, Michelle Obama’s DNC speech in its entirety:

Over the past few years as first lady, I have had the extraordinary privilege of traveling all across this country.

And everywhere I’ve gone, in the people I’ve met, and the stories I’ve heard, I have seen the very best of the American spirit.

I have seen it in the incredible kindness and warmth that people have shown me and my family, especially our girls.

I’ve seen it in teachers in a near-bankrupt school district who vowed to keep teaching without pay. Read more…

As a writer Denene Millner has reached the pinnacle of success in her profession. As a journalist, she has contributed to numerous magazines that include, Essence (where she is a contributing editor), Ebony, Heart & Soul, Entertainment Weekly, Money and others. While as an author, she has authored or co-authored an astonishing 19 books that includes Steve Harvey’s phenomenally successful advice book, “Think Like A Lady, Act Like A Man,” (which was turned into a major movie that grossed over 100 million dollars at the box office.) As if that’s not enough, Millner is also a media entrepreneur whose award-winning website, MyBrownBaby.com, is one of the most popular parenting destinations on the internet. With the release of her novelization of the highly-anticipated film, “Sparkle,” just hitting stores, Millner recently gave the Robertson Treatment exclusive insight about her remarkable career as a wordsmith.How did you make the transition from journalist to author? Read more…

By Torrance StephensThere are just a few months left before the November Presidential elections. The choice has been mad for many in the simple terms of Democrat or Republican and Obama versus Romney. However, what is not known to most is that these two individuals actually are more alike than different. We know about the basics: that the both like Star Trek, attended Harvard Law School and the Television situational comedy Modern Family, but they are just as alike from a policy perspective. The following are ten examples in which they are more alike than different.

Information is freely available everywhere. So much that it is easy to verify and substantiate with a little effort. However, for most African Americans, the major news topics of the day are ignored by their most treasured sources of information – black owned urban media and radio.

Now if you want to find out about the release of an album, which is sleeping with who, the latest baby momma or what celebrities were fighting at the club, black urban media is your place. Most it seems to have adopted the playbook of the National Enquirer. Now they will cover every itty bitty nuanced piece of information on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, Real Housewives and Basketball Wives, as well as stories on young black men being shot by white men, but only after it becomes the focus of the world. And let us not forget President Obama, it seems as if the only politics covered dally with the commander in Chief 95 percent of the time. But rarely anything else. You won’t find anything on the Eurozone Crisis, or the LIBOR scandal, or serious presentations of what is occurring in Libya, Syria, Somalia, or even the continuing crisis in Haiti or the senseless shootings in Chicago.Read more…